Method of treating hides, skins, and pelts



' "example.

Patented July 14, 1942 UNITED STATE s PATENT (OFFICE METHOD or, TREATINGRIDES, sums,

, AND rnurs Julius Pfannmuller, North Plainfield,

hleich, New Dorp, Staten Isla Hans Sc assignors to W I No Drawing.

pickling and tanning.

' In the production oi furs, the hides or skins are soaked and, withoutsubjecting them to any hair loosening operation, are pickled and tannedor tawed. I

In carrying out the present invention we sub-' ject the skins, hides orpelts to the action or a liquor having apH of 6 or lower and contai ngthe enzyme pepsin. Since the various opera ops above referred to includethe use oi liquors aving a pH of 6 or under, the invention may beconveniently carried out one of such liquors. pickling bath is asolution of salt and acid having a pH ranging from about 1 to about 6.The invention may, therefore, be conveniently carried out by addingpepsin to the usual pickling liquor. While the amount of pepsin used mayvary by adding the pepsin to t within a considerable range, only arelatively small amount is required to attain the desired results. Forexample about one-third of one per cent pepsin (U. S. P. IX) based onskin weight has been found satisfactory. I

when ski hides or pelts are treated as described they are softer innature and have a greater permeability for air; the subsequent tanningoperation proceeds more quickly and more uniformly; and the ultimateproduct is of superior quality.

The following Example I Soak 100 pounds sheep shearlings in detergentsolution. skins to a pickling sisting or 500 pounds water to which hasbeen For example, the normal 2 procedures are given by way oi to theaction of a water and solution con- 5 even date herewith,

N. J., and mi, Inc., New

York-N. Y., a corporation or New York Application February is, 1939,Serial No. 256,718

4 Claims. (Cl. 195-6) added about 2 pounds sulphuric and 25pounds'sodium chloride. Stir for about hour. Add /3 of a pound pepsin(U. S. P. IX), previously dissolved in water. This liquor has a, pH ofabout 2. Leave skins in this liquor for upwards 01 5 hours at roomtemperature They are then ready for subsequent normal processesincluding t Example 11 Unhair and hate 100 pounds goatskins. Transierskins to a drum conta '15 pounds of water at F. to which has been added25 pounds sodium acid (66 36.) Drum skins tor-V hour. Add V, of a poundpepsin (U. S. PERU, previously dissolved in water. Drum'th The skins arethen ready processes including tannin Example III Soften pounds oi'sheepshearlings in ac cordance with our application, relating to the use 0!urea and urease, filed or ubsequent normal ample I.

What is claimed is: a

1. In the preparation of skins, hides andpelts im the production offurs, the improvement which consists in subjecting the skins, hides orpel'ts to the action or a liquor having a pH under 1 6 and containingthe enzyme pepsin.

I 2. In the preparation of skins, hides and pelts for the production ,01furs, the improvement which consists in adding the enzyme pepsinto theusual pickling bath.

3, In the preparation or mentwhich consists in hides, subsequent tohating and prior to tanning, to the action of a liquor having a pH under6 and containing pepsin.

4. In the preparation of leather, the improvement which consists insubjecting the skins or hides, subsequent to been added pepsin. I

-, .nnflros rumor-mm.

' HANS CH.

acid (66 B.)

chloride and 3 pounds sulphuric skins for hour.

Serial No. 256,717,

and proceed as .per Ex-' leather, the improvesubjecting the skins orbatin'g and prior to tanning, pickling bath to which has

